Nikon D800 broken, what to do now?

[Shaoxter]

My trusty Nikon D800 has a scratch on the sensor which has basically written it off.
I guess I have a few options:
a) Photoshop the scratch out of future pictures or crop it out (it's near the edge)
b) Buy a replacement second hand body for ~£300
c) Buy a Nikon mirrorless body and re-use my existing lens with an adapter
d) Go all out and buy a new mirrorless set (any suggestions?)

I do like shiny new toys but being a hobby photographer and generally only using a big camera when travelling, I'm not sure if it's worthwhile going for option d). Unless someone can convince me otherwise and reignite my photography passion!

[James_0541]

Or just replace the sensor.
https://www.fixationuk.com/service/nikon-camera-re...

[StevieBee]

Do you use Lightroom, If so, you can set it up to remove the same blemish from all photos you input rather than one by one. (Highlight all in the film strip, enable auto sync, remove the blemish from one image and it does the same to the others).

[Gad-Westy]

Unless you're desperate to move to mirrorless, I'd take advantage of the absolute bargains to be had from used DSLR options. Hard to argue against just getting another D800 but if you're feeling like a change, D800e's and D810's are pretty well priced too. Was going to suggest a D850 but I'm a bit shocked by how well they have held their value.

My assumption would be that a repair would be uneconomical and personally I wouldn't fancy having to clone out the issue each time. Especially as it could end up being across your subject.

[Shaoxter]

James_0541 said:

Or just replace the sensor.
https://www.fixationuk.com/service/nikon-camera-re...

No more parts being produced for my camera now.

StevieBee said:

Do you use Lightroom, If so, you can set it up to remove the same blemish from all photos you input rather than one by one. (Highlight all in the film strip, enable auto sync, remove the blemish from one image and it does the same to the others).

Yes but the issue is it's not just a small speck of dust, it appears as a fairly long line and syncing all the photos won't give the desired results on each one.

Been browsing and reading reviews and a Sony A7iv with the 24-70 f/2.8 GMII lens from a grey importer for ~£2600 is really calling my name...

[Steve_H80]

Often repair centres will aquire damaged cameras for spares when parts are no longer produced. It might be worth investigating that to either get yours repaired or to dispose of your knackered camera to a good cause.

[Apologist]

Shaoxter said:

Yes but the issue is it's not just a small speck of dust, it appears as a fairly long line and syncing all the photos won't give the desired results on each one.

Been browsing and reading reviews and a Sony A7iv with the 24-70 f/2.8 GMII lens from a grey importer for ~£2600 is really calling my name...

You’ve talked yourself into the correct (for you) answer. If you have the budget set by, it’s difficult to go cheap and be happy.

[StevieBee]

Shaoxter said:

Been browsing and reading reviews and a Sony A7iv with the 24-70 f/2.8 GMII lens from a grey importer for ~£2600 is really calling my name...

That's my current weapon of choice. Lens too. And that's a good price (I'm semi pro).

Cracking combo.

[GravelBen]

What lenses do you have with the D800?

If you have significant investment in Nikon lenses then it would make more sense to buy a Nikon mirrorless body (Z5ii or Z6iii is probably closest equivalent to Sony A7iv? I'm not quite up with Sony models) and adapt your existing lenses, then think about updating to Nikon Z lenses down the track. Rather than jumping to a different brand and starting from scratch with a new system.

I upgraded to a Z5ii after a D7200 and Fuji XT3 and very happy with it, its a brilliant piece of kit and the Nikon Z glass is excellent too.

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 28th January 20:12

[kestral]

How has the sensor got scratched they are as hard as hell. I put glue sticks with pec pads on across the sensor on all my Nikon sensors and it does not scratch them?

Have you just tried cleaning it.

Also Fixation (The biggest rip of merchants for camera repairs in the UK) are not the only people who repair cameras.

[Apologist]

kestral said:

How has the sensor got scratched they are as hard as hell. I put glue sticks with pec pads on across the sensor on all my Nikon sensors and it does not scratch them?

Have you just tried cleaning it.

Also Fixation (The biggest rip of merchants for camera repairs in the UK) are not the only people who repair cameras.

Most digital cameras have a filter over the sensor.

But I agree, scratching one is quite an achievement.

[StevieBee]

Apologist said:

kestral said:

How has the sensor got scratched they are as hard as hell. I put glue sticks with pec pads on across the sensor on all my Nikon sensors and it does not scratch them?

Have you just tried cleaning it.

Also Fixation (The biggest rip of merchants for camera repairs in the UK) are not the only people who repair cameras.

Most digital cameras have a filter over the sensor.

But I agree, scratching one is quite an achievement.

That's a good point! Might it be a hair?

[Russet Grange]

I'd buy a D850 and keep the exact same lenses. Many would regard it as the best DSLR ever made.

Mirrorless, in my opinion, is the best option if video is important to you, or top notch autofocus, or you have a use case for exposure preview in the electronic viewfinder.

[Shaoxter]

kestral said:

How has the sensor got scratched they are as hard as hell. I put glue sticks with pec pads on across the sensor on all my Nikon sensors and it does not scratch them?

Have you just tried cleaning it.

Also Fixation (The biggest rip of merchants for camera repairs in the UK) are not the only people who repair cameras.

No idea tbh, I pretty much only use one lens and it doesn't get taken off. I tried using a blower and cleaning it myself with one of the self clean kits but it didn't come off so I sent it to a shop who didn't manage to get it off either and told me it was scratched. I took it on a dune buggy in the desert last year (although most of the time it was in a bag) so maybe the sand did it at some point.

GravelBen said:

What lenses do you have with the D800?

I have a 24-70 f/2.8G lens which doesn't appear to be worth a whole lot now, a prime lens which has held up better depreciation wise and a flash which tbh I hardly use and probably wouldn't bother getting in a new camera set.

A D850 for the same price as the A7IV seems a little overpriced...

[Simpo Two]

Shaoxter said:

No idea tbh, I pretty much only use one lens and it doesn't get taken off. I tried using a blower and cleaning it myself with one of the self clean kits but it didn't come off so I sent it to a shop who didn't manage to get it off either and told me it was scratched.

I'll just fire off a random thought - have you actually seen the scratch on the sensor or could it/a hair be on the ground glass screen above?

[Gad-Westy]

Simpo Two said:

Shaoxter said:

No idea tbh, I pretty much only use one lens and it doesn't get taken off. I tried using a blower and cleaning it myself with one of the self clean kits but it didn't come off so I sent it to a shop who didn't manage to get it off either and told me it was scratched.

I'll just fire off a random thought - have you actually seen the scratch on the sensor or could it/a hair be on the ground glass screen above?

I think the OP mentioned that it was showing up on images.

[Simpo Two]

Gad-Westy said:

I think the OP mentioned that it was showing up on images.

Ah yes. Curses!

[Apologist]

Op,

You need to look at the sensor yourself. If you can see something on it, then try to remove it with a blower and/or cotton bud. Be gentle. You really need to know what is going on here.

[Shaoxter]

It's definitely not some random debris, I've tried the rocket blower and going over it twice with a cleaning stick.

[kestral]

If this helps, this is how I clean all my sensors 6 of.